NEW DELHI,
JAN. 17.
Tejinder Singh of Police set a new National record in snatch, but failed to lift himself to the overall title in the men's 85-kg class, in the National weightlifting championships at the Karnail Singh Stadium here on Saturday.

Former National champion Tejinder cleared 150.5 kg on his third attempt to better his own record by half a kg, but two failed attempts in clean and jerk put brakes into his progress. He finished with a total of 320 kg.

Commonwealth champion G. Senthil Kumar of Railways took full advantage of that. Senthil Kumar, who won gold in the 2003 Tonga Commonwealth championship, despite losing out to Tejinder in snatch, made up by raising 175 kg on his second attempt.

Senthil hauled 147.5kg on his third attempt in snatch and after Tejinder failed to clear 175-kg in clean and jerk he was assured of the medal.

Still, Senthil Kumar went for 180 kg on his third attempt but was unsuccessful. His total of 322.5 kg was good enough to earn him the gold.

While Senthil Kumar and Tejinder fought their own battle, Services' Rajesh Singh settled for the bronze with a total of 312.5 kg.

In the inter-State championship, Praveen Dahiya (132.5, 165; 297.5) of Haryana won the gold, followed by Mukhtiyar Singh (132.5, 157.5; 290) of Punjab and Zarzo Kima (132.5, 155; 287.5) of Maharashtra.

In the women's section, Janeshwari Devi of Karnataka clinched the 69-kg gold by virtue of lower body weight. Janeshwari, weighing 66.360 kg, lifted a total of 202.5 kg, as did Bela Rani of Delhi. But Bela, who weighed 68.180 kg, lost out as her second and third attempts to lift 115 kg in clean and jerk failed. K. Rama Devi (187.5 kg) of Andhra Pradesh was a distant third.

In the 75-kg category, T.V. Madhavi Mani of Andhra Pradesh also benefited from her lower body weight.

Madhavi, who weighed 69.300 kg, cleared 80 kg in snatch and 102.5 kg in clean and jerk for a total of 182.5 kg.